The local community will come together this Friday (21st November), to celebrate the lives of Hardip Singh Dayal and Surjit Singh Bangh with a special charity memorial football match.
Kick-off for the event at Riverside Football Ground, is at 7:45 pm, with the evening beginning at 6:30 pm featuring honorary speeches, refreshments, and Langar provided by the Midland Lagar Seva Society.
Picture credit: Harry
Organised by GNG Football Club (Guru Nanak Gurdwara) the match will see GNG face Leicestershire Police in a spirited game honouring two cherished members of the community who passed away in recent years. All proceeds from the event will go to the British Heart Foundation and Loros Hospice.
Arjan Dayal, son of Hardip Singh Dayal and one of the event organisers, spoke to the Leicester Times about the deep friendship between the two men. “They both played for the club 25 years ago when the team won the city league,” he said. “They were defenders and very close friends. My dad was secretary of the club for six of seven years, and even after we took over Oadby Town Football Club recently, he remained involved. GNG was like his second home.”
Hardip Singh Dayal, who passed away in July after a seven-year battle with cancer, served as a police officer for Leicestershire Police. Arjan described his father as “kind and respectful to everyone, whether colleagues, community members, or even the people he arrested. Everyone had good things to say about him.”
Surjit Singh Bangh, known as ‘Johnny,’ passed away on 26 October 2024 at the age of 47. He had been club captain of GNG Football Club since 1998 and was highly regarded in local and national football circles.
The memorial match is intended as a celebration of their lives, not a somber occasion. Organisers expect 350–400 attendees and will host a raffle with over 30 prizes, as well as free food for the community. Arjan said: “We want it to be a warm environment where people can talk about the two people we’ve lost and celebrate something they loved—a real community gathering.”
Over £4,000 has been raised for the two charities so far.
For those wishing to donate in support of the event, contributions can be made via JustGiving.
